This article was prepared with support from the United Nations Economic Commission (ECA) in Africa
The 11th Africa Regional Forum for Sustainable Development concluded with African countries seeking to respond to the evolving global situation by focusing on adding local values ​​and intracontinental trade. Speaking at the closing ceremony, Uganda UN Resident Coordinator Leonard Zulu praised African countries for highlighting the urgent need to change the continent's approach to development, saying, “His message was clear: we must stop exporting jobs and raw materials.
“He emphasized that instead, he must invest in the system through advanced transport, affordable, green energy, transformative education and a robust financial system, adding deliberate value additions to its wealth of resources.”
“Durable peace requires sustainable development.”
Focusing on the interconnectedness of the challenges facing the continent, Zulu sought a collective and integrated response. “Durable peace requires sustainable development. Sustainable development requires sustainable financing. Sustainable financing requires control of economic and financial flows, and this management requires robust national institutions,” he argued.
Zulu also called for investment in science, technology and innovation and “a transformative mindset that prevents the delivery of employment through exports to the intentional value addition of raw materials.”
For the continent to grow inclusively, gender equality, youth empowerment and social protection must prioritize it, Zul said. It also needs to strengthen partnerships across government, civil society, the private sector and other stakeholders.
Claver Gatete, Executive Director of the Economic Commission of Africa (ECA), thanked the delegate for his hard work and compiling the Kampala Declaration. “This is not an ECA document. This is not a UN document. It is your document. Anything there, it is your own input, and at the end of the day, we all own it together,” he said.
Reflecting the evolution of the global financial system, Gatete noted that the system's cracks have been apparent since 2002.
“We realized that this financial system, which was set up since 1994, is not working in Africa. The Washington consensus can no longer work for us,” he said, the continent was later struck by a series of external shocks.
The continent is under even more pressure now as the effects of climate change are felt. “Africa debt is now over $1 trillion, with annual interest payments exceeding $100 million. The situation is not sustainable. We are trying out a variety of innovative financing models, but it's not enough.”
Gatete noted that efforts to restructure continental debt are hampered by the complexity of current credit arrangements. The majority of the debt was previously paid to the Paris Club, which was loaned out for easy decisions, but now many lenders, including private lenders, should consider it.
“It's difficult to bring everyone together under the current geopolitical climate, which is why the common framework for the G20 is not working,” he explained. The fact that only two African countries have achieved investment grade status, as highlighted by Gatete, is a “signal that we need to do it differently.”
The President calls for cooperation in building Africa
President Yoweri Museveni, host of ARFSD 11, emphasized the need to halt the export of raw materials, saying:
“That's what Africans do. I banned the export of raw minerals. Now there are no raw mineral leaves from Uganda. If they can't process minerals, they told people they have to stay on the ground. My grandchildren will handle them.”
The forum will serve as an important platform for dialogue and action based on the theme of “Functioning job creation and economic growth through sustainable, comprehensive, scientific, scientific and evidence-based solutions of Agenda and Agenda 2063 for 2030.”
President Museveni said Uganda's agricultural sector employs 3.6 million people, 1.4 million people in manufacturing and industrial industries and 5m in services sector. The ICT sector currently employs 46,000 people. “We're just starting out, but we know we can create jobs,” he said.
Uganda's internal market is not big enough, he said. “We produce 5.3 billion litres of milk, but the internal market is only 800 million litres. Without the East African community, Uganda's dairy sector would have collapsed.
Zimbabwe president Emerson Mnangagwa also emphasized the need for collaboration.
“We cannot defend individual countries as individual countries. There must be a connection to our efforts. We need to share, discuss and interrogate the meaning needed to achieve our goals.”
He said that development communities in southern Africa recognize the importance of their abundant natural resources, which provides a unique comparative advantage.
“Africa change does not happen by chance. It lies with us, our leaders and the people of this continent. We must take charge of our development and destiny.
“Therefore, promise yourself to guide your comprehensive development.”
“With a youthful population and abundant resources, the potential for economic transformation in Africa is immeasurable.”
Gaudencio Mohaba Mesu, the first vice-prime minister of Equatorial Guinea, who represents the country's president, urged countries to use natural benefits to build their economy and strengthen regional development.
We must tell a new story of Africa
Africa stands at a pivotal moment of not just challenges but huge opportunities, said Amina Mohammed, deputy executive director of the UN. “In just five years remaining to achieve the 2030 agenda and the second decade of the ongoing Agenda 2063, we must stand up to the difficult truth and align with bold and brave solutions.
The annual funding gap to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS) is a staggering $200 million, with foreign direct investment in Africa falling 1.9% in 2024 to $53 billion.
Over 60% of the country are at higher or higher risk of debt difficulties. In 2023, five African countries spent more on external debt services than they combined health and education. “This is unacceptable.”
The goal of the Abuja Declaration remains a distant ambition. Half of African countries spend less than 6% of their national budgets on health, with the high cost of digital access, particularly in rural areas, continuing to exclude millions of people.
“But these numbers don't define us. Africa isn't standing quietly. We're standing up. Despite global headwinds, our continent accounted for nine of the fastest growing economies in the world in 2024. Progress on HIV and AIDS is encouraging.
“Women across the continent are major changes. Today, 26% of African parliamentary seats are held by women since 19% in 2015. However, this hides some of the inequality in various countries.
“Now we must turn words into action. With these efforts, African leadership and innovation will continue to inspire. From local solutions to global negotiations, African countries are pushing for a bold vision for inclusive sustainable development.
“The stronger ties between the regional economic committee and resident coordinators, fixed in the Secretary-General reform, have enabled new opportunities to coordinate policy and operations and provide integrated Africa-wide support on African priorities.
“This has given us great confidence that we can accelerate action on SDGS and Agenda 2063. This year, the 4th International Conference on Development, the 2nd World Social Summit, the UN Food Systems Summit Stocktake in Ethiopia, and the voices of Africa must shape all of these global milestones.
“Let us seize this forum and the Kampala Declaration as a catalyst for regional leadership and global solidarity.
“Expand what works, deepen partnerships, create potential terms for investment and innovation. Tell a new story of African solutions driven by African leadership, especially those in Africa, driven by young people who are fixed on African values.
“Let's solidarity and turn our ambitions into solidarity and action with the African Union, serving Africa that we want.”
Calm data
It's only five years to go to 2030, a target to achieve SDG goals, and the data is calm.
According to ECA's Claver Gatete, of the 144 measurable SDG targets, only 106 are on track, and it's progressing too far with 28 regressions. “We cannot afford to continue at this rate. The forum was convened under the theme of promoting job creation and economic growth through sustainable, comprehensive, scientific, scientific and evidence-based solutions from the Agenda 2030 and AU Agenda 2063.
“To reverse this trend, we need to move beyond diagnosing challenges to implement bold, practical solutions.
“As we speak, structural vulnerabilities, such as the prolonged effects of Covid-19, climate shocks, conflict, geopolitical tensions and increased debt burden, continue to curb Africa's progress.
“The average GDP growth rate since 2019 is around 3%, well below the 7% required to achieve SDG 8 only on work and economic growth.
“Now it is clear that aid can no longer be considered a reliable or sustainable solution, and traditional funding models are increasingly organized with Africa's development aspirations.”
Gatete outlined many challenges in meeting five SDGs that are in the spotlight at events – Good Health and Wellbeing (SDG 3), Gender Equality (SDG 5), Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8), Living Under Water (SDG 14), and Goal Partnerships (SDG 17).
To reverse the trends in SDGS, “we need to move beyond the diagnostics of challenges to implement a bold and viable solution.”
He proposed four strategic pillars for mobilizing resources to achieve SDGS and AU Agenda 2063.
The first is to expand the mobilization of domestic resources. “Together with leveraging the funds of sovereign wealth, we can curb illegal financial flows, estimated at $89 billion a year, we can secure billions for our developmental needs.”
Remittance-backed bonds could increase the $53 billion FDI that flowed into Africa in 2023.
He said that Africa's free trade zones need to be properly utilized.
“Investing in digital connectivity, artificial intelligence, blockchain solutions and evidence-based policymaking will drive efficiency in trade, governance and service delivery.
“The clock is ticking. The next five years must be marked by bold leadership, decisive policies and strengthening partnerships that put Africa on a sustainable prosperity trajectory.”
